JOHNNY RUSSELL knows Dundee United have the firepower. They just need to stop shooting themselves in the foot.

The Tangerines have a nasty habit of gifting teams a start this season and were at it again in Dingwall, allowing Iain Vigurs to nod Ross County in front.

Yet again Peter Houston’s men hauled themselves back. And unlike the 2-2 draw with Celtic and the 3-3 with Killie, this time they managed to claim all three points thanks to goals by Russell and Stuart Armstrong.

It was merited in the end thanks to a super second-half showing – but County could have been out of sight after a typically frantic first half.

Houston must be thinking about dishing out the half-time oranges before the game.

His side’s last 10 SPL goals have come after a dressing room dressing down during the interval.

Goalscorers Stuart Armstrong and Johnny Russell celebrate netting at County

United have such a lethal attack they always fancy their chances to nab a goal or two. And Russell is confident they can hit the heights – if they stop giving themselves a mountain to climb.

He said: “We went behind again and managed to turn things round. We know we’ve got goals in us but for some reason we’re not working as a team to stop them and are maybe causing some of them ourselves.

“I think we’re getting better at it and hopefully can eradicate the mistakes. Then we’ll be flying. Although we showed character, we would rather go in front and not have to fight back all the time.”

If United can sort out their dodgy defending, it won’t be long before they join the race at the top of the SPL.

They have not strung two wins together since the opening fortnight of the season and yet are just four points off the top.

Russell said: “We want to be up there but results haven’t put us in that position. But with the league being tight a few back-to-back results and we’ll be up there.”

To get there it will take more of the second half in Dingwall and less of the first.

It started promisingly and a stunning move nearly produced a sensational opener. Gary Mackay-Steven whipped the ball into Russell’s feet, the striker brilliantly dummied and spun in behind where Jon Daly set him up with a deft lay-off.

Russell hit the target but County keeper Michael Fraser produced a terrific block.

It was a delicious move that should have set the tone but United got bogged down.

If anything, it was Derek Adams’s side who were the more dangerous and should have been ahead at the break.

Sam Morrow seemed shocked to be onside when Richard Brittain played him through and by the time he gathered his thoughts the angle suited keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak.

The big Pole had already kept out a Rocco Quinn drive and team-mate Sean Dillon had cleared off the line when Morrow attempted to bundle in Stuart Kettlewell’s cutback.

It looked good for County and got even better when Vigurs glanced a header past Cierzniak three minutes after the interval.

But something clicks when United go behind and they roared back within four minutes.

Brian McLean released Russell and with Fraser racing from his line, the Tangerine talisman coolly slipped the ball into the corner. Russell was delighted to be back on the scoresheet.

He said: “I haven’t scored for a while so the goal is massive. Hopefully it will be the start of a run for me and the team.”

The second arrived soon after. Russell picked out Daly at the back post and he nodded down for Armstrong to head home. Boss Houston knows the value of a win in Dingwall as it was something Celtic, Aberdeen and Hibs couldn’t manage.

He said: “The lads showed great character to win from one down. Our players merited the three points for their sheer hard work and refusal to lose.”

It was tough on County but another lesson on the importance of taking your chances in the SPL.

Adams said: “It’s about having a lot of money which allows you to have the quality of players Dundee United have.

“We just have to try to pick up as many points as possible. But we didn’t deserve to lose.”